2007 Saturn Aura Timing chain

Tiny
DIRCKS78
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SATURN AURA
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,800 MILES
I'm getting a rattle from the engine and it's only when I accelerate. It sounds like rocks in a can. I also have the check engine light on with the codes p0017 and p0018. I was told my timing chain is stretched. But the car doesn't run bad at all. It doesn't have a rough idle. But it does lack some power it's not like it was when it was new. If it is the timing chain is this a hard repair for someone to do them self?
Sunday, July 20th, 2014 AT 8:24 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,874 POSTS
It's not impossible but it isn't terribly easy. You'll run into some things you probably haven't seen before, like hydraulic tensioners. Your engine uses multiple tensioning devices so you shouldn't have a rattle from the timing chain. Try banging on the catalytic converter with a rubber hammer first. If you hear the rattle, the substrate has broken loose. That's more common than timing chain rattles.

Years ago a stretched timing chain did cause low power because it caused late camshaft and valve timing. A camshaft that is one or two degrees late will give you lots of low-end power and a loss of high-end power. They do that for motor homes so they can get going at stop signs. Today's engines use spring-loaded tensioners that may also be fed with pressurized engine oil.

Whether your engine has a power loss due to a stretched chain depends on where that tensioner takes up the slack. If it's on the side where the crankshaft sprocket pulls on the chain and camshaft sprocket, the tensioner should keep the valve timing correct. Usually those devices are on the less-stressed side where the chain has just left the crank sprocket. It won't keep the valve timing correct but it will be easier to adjust the slack out of the chain.

Late valve timing won't cause a rough idle. The idle quality will be unusually smooth, but with less throttle response and less power.
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Sunday, July 20th, 2014 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
DIRCKS78
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for replying you mentioned the catalytic converter my car does have a bad catalytic converter. The rattle only happens when the car is warmed up it will not do it with a cold engine. Could the cat be the cause of my problems?
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Monday, July 21st, 2014 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,874 POSTS
Bang on it with a rubber hammer. If the substrate is loose, you'll hear it rattle.
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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,874 POSTS
And don't overlook a loose heat shield too.
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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 AT 12:21 AM

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